Saturday, September 5, 2009

Words could never capture the essence of our time on the mission field. To confine my heart tonight, shackling it within the bars of syllables, impossible. Costa Rica, run free in my memories and in my dreams of eternity.

We captured our ministry a year ago, never envisioning that these pictures would usher us into a new realm of radical obedience and surrender. I share them today, as a living testimony to our Lord. A wave of gratitude washing over my memories, for all who believed that our family could impact the nations for Christ. And it's just the beginning.

As dawn kisses our day, our new mission field will appear on the horizon.

"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. "

63 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Amid tears of joy and memories, I watch the video of your family's journey. In 18 hours, I will again be amid tears of joy, and then, I will be part of this new journey. The Blessing you and your family are walking in, is just a beginning. It's all for His glory. I love you

Beautiful, even in grief. Your writing inspires me! Would love to know "where" you will be. Would love to know if you will, indeed, adopt from Ethiopia? God has led us to adopt from there again, this time a son! He is, and He will be, glorified by your ministry. In Christ, Lory

Praying for the Lord to always guide you and keep you and your family. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, proclaim salvation, and proclaim to Zion, "Your God reigns!" -Isa.52:7.

"Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that." -Charles Spurgeon.

You are carried on eagles wings to the next realm of GOD's great journey for you. I am truly amazed by your faithfulness and GOD's tremendous victories in and through you. I am blessed to be able to storm the heavens on your behalf.

Beautiful and touching video. May your new mission be as fruitful as this one & may you share the love of Christ & continue to change our world for Him. You & your sweet family are such a blessing. Hugs,Mimi

Sarah, my heart is about to burst. Tears stream down my face as I watch again the video and the memories come flooding back of the way the Lord used you and the miracles I saw before my eyes as He unfolded His plan in your lives. The boat girl in Thailand, the Buddhist monks who had never heard the name Jesus Christ, the Gnoble people who captured your heart and led you to Panama, the indigenous chief who had never seen "natural" blonde hair, the thousand people who live and survive in the trash dump in Honduras, the message of salvation through drama that you took to public schools and places all over Central America, the thousands who put their trust in Christ there, the protection of the Lord as you took your two young children to live in the bush in Africa, the Massai chief who had the dream you were coming, the 56 people who accepted Christ in those mud-hut villages, the AIDS orphans that have captured your hearts, the look on the man's face in Bocas del Toro, Panama when Ryan handed him the first Bible he had seen in Gnobe, his heart language, the children at "The Rock", the inner city ministry in Costa Rica, the transvestites on the street, and homeless men whose lives are changed for eternity, and all the children you have touched through these years. Yes, God has used you! You Glorify the Lord and Magnify His Holy Name!

I loved watching the video and my heart is leaping with joy knowing you are almost HOME and close to me!!!!

I can't wait to hug you and meet your beautiful family! I can't wait to sing His praises together. I can't wait for all that God is ready to do in your family and through it!

Oh Sarah - this has been one of the most magical memories for me and to be a part of it - WOW!!!! I cherish every moment God has given us and thank Him daily for bringing you into my life and our family! WE ALL LOVE YOU! Praying you home precious one!

Hi Sarah Dawn,I just wanted to tell you, my husband's sister and her family just moved to Arizona from the international mission field, too. Maybe Arizona is becoming God's country? :-)with love in Christ,Lory H.

You have been a blessing to me through meeting you on our blogs. But I am so excited because I can't wait to meet you in person. Once you get settled, I would love to arrange that meeting my sweet friend. I live in north central Phoenix so it can't be too far from where you'll be. May you have a safe trip home.

Oh my gosh..I just loved that video collage, and especially with that song. What a blessing, I'm sure you have been to the people over there. I can imagine how sad it is to leave the relationships you've formed over there. I'm also excited to see what the Lord has in store for your family now.

Hi, Sarah DawnI can feel the pain of your heart as you leave this beautiful country of Costa Rica.

I know that it is a very beautiful country, very green, first country to abolish its army, carbon free, ranks high in the world development performance, and ranks first in the Amreicas, 5th in the world as far as Environmental Performance is concerned...

All these, not to mention the beauty of the people you have come to love.

The beautiful pictures in the collage you posted are just so heartwarming.

Radical obedience is one of the words that always come up in my vocabulary. Amazing that you used it in your post.

KNow for sure that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. SOme of my most precious friends in the world are YWAMers.

Oh Sarah Dawn~ What a beautifully put together tribute of your time in missions. The song choice was perfect! If you ever write a book of your journey (which I sincerely hope you do!) I will be the first in line to pre-order it!!

Praying for you as you follow the Lord's path on this next leg of your journey in this life. He is faithful, and He is with you! <><

Hello! You stopped by my blog a couple of months ago while my husband was in the hospital having open heart surgery. Your kind words on my post helped left my spirits. I am sorry that it has taken me this long to "pop in" and let you know that. But things have been rather crazy around my household. :o) But as they say better late then never...Thank You!

Tears are running down my face as I read this, watch the video, and read peoples comments. I know the thought of even leaving Costa Rica was hard at first, and God has been so good in giving you new vision for what is ahead. Even though I know saying goodbye to everyone there must've been really hard. I think God is taking care of your heart for Costa Rica and the culture by sending two Ticas (I think Kristy's heart is totally ticafied) to work, live, and love alongside of you.

Blessings Sarah...I stopped here via your words on my WFW but I've been here regularly this past month & even follow you but perhaps never left any sweet words! I was looking forward to getting to know you & your mission field when I first came upon you but quickly discovered the Lord was moving you out of Costa Rica! My heart broke! And as I read this verse & saw your memories, my heart aches & I have tears of joy & sadness! I'm not sure if you've left Costa Rica & arrived in USA yet, but my prayers are with you as you redirect!VAYA CON DIOS y QUE DIOS LES BENDIGA y tambien todos en sus corazones de Costa Rica...I'm sure you touched many in Jesus Name as they touched yours! To God be the Glory! (I'm sure I might have written a word somewhere here) :)<><In Christ's love & service,Peggy

I know your eyes & heart are open & you have seen & see the fields that are so ripe, may we continue until His Kingdom comes that His will be done!

I loved that precious video. I started to send this post to my friend Peggy, but I see from above, she was just here. :) Thank you so much for your sweet visit to to my blog today. I pray God will bless you all and continue to use you mightily for His Glory.

This video pics and lyrics sent my heart soaring. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. I just feel so good to know people like you are out there living love to a world in need. My heartbeat is so close to yours. However, my mission field is not overseas. Not yet anyway.

Sarah Dawn,I haven't been able to stop crying since I opened your page. I had some catching up to do on your blog and God had some catching up to do in my heart! Thank you for loving Him so wholly, for following His heart to the ends of the earth! I pray blessings upon blessings on you and your family--for safety and direction--and most of all for more souls to be ushered in to the Kingdom of Heaven!!

Wow, what a beautiful slide show and set of memories. I know it's hard when your heart is in more than once place, bitter sweet really. I know God will hold your heart as you settle into your next mission. It makes me long for the mission field again. (I know I have one here in the US, but my heart is still in Central America, too!)Love and blessings, Laurie

hi sarah. it might take a while or maybe not. i'm just too excited to get in on the mail and start reading it. thank you, thank you! i know in my heart that God really wanted me to have this for a purpose. i'm excited what will be revealed to me in the coming days.

Thanks for sharing this video with us. Were you and your husband missionaries in Thailand? I was born and raised in Thailand. My family and I hope and pray that someday we will be able to go serve in Thailand as full-time missionaries (if it's God's will). While we are not there yet, we have been supporting native missionaries in unreached areas of the world. I'm encouraged every time I see people like you who love God, love others as yourselves, and take the Great Commission seriously. I agree with what John Piper said: "Go, Send, or Disobey." May the Lord richly bless you, daily guide you, and protect you & your family as you continue to faithfully serve Him wherever He leads you.

Sarah Dawn,Thanks for stopping at my blog. I have so enjoyed reading some of your posts. God has given you a real gift for writing, and though I've never met you before, this post brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to see what He has in store for you next!

Thanks for visiting my blog today, Sarah. I had a good time looking around in your blog. It sounds like you are going to a new place of ministry. I am sure you have sadness because of leaving one place, but excited to see what God has in store for you next.

You have a beautiful family...i love the smiles on your sons' faces. They look well loved and happy.

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! I'll have to come back to view your video when our internet is a little faster. I'm sure I don't have to tell you it's sometimes a challenge to do anything on the computer overseas :-) Slow or not, I'm just thankful we have SOME internet connection most days!

What a blessing and testimony your pictures are. May God continue to bless you in your journey as you do HIS work!! Thank you for visiting my blog and I really enjoyed reading yours. Being a military family and moving many times I know how you are feeling. I will pray for your new journey!

Wife and momma with a bit of spunk sprinkled somewhere in the mix. This little puddle is where I splash my thoughts and life for total strangers to read (crazy huh?). Jump in and join me on the journey to live love, slosh grace and splatter joy!